From: Jordan Yelinek
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 1:42 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: A&M BBQ
Dear Mayor and Members of the Sebastopol City Council,
I am writing in support of A&M BBQ and to ask the Council to grant them reasonable time to relocate their operations to a more suitable long-term location.
My husband and young son have been devoted fans of A&M BBQ since they opened in Sebastopol. We live in Guerneville, and over the years A&M has become reason enough to make the trip, and to linger, supporting other local businesses while we're there. This past Thanksgiving, their smoked turkey breast was the centerpiece of our family meal. I'm not sure I can picture the holiday without it now.
A&M BBQ is a family-owned small business run by people who live here, send their children to school here, and have donated food and supported local organizations over the years. They have been transparent about the challenges they face, have stayed in communication with City staff, and have already begun adjusting their operations while working toward a longer-term solution.
Neighborhood concerns about smoke and traffic deserve to be taken seriously. But those concerns are best resolved through good-faith problem-solving. Relocating a restaurant involves permitting, financing, and infrastructure. It takes time, and A&M BBQ is actively doing the work.
Independent local businesses are a big part of what makes Sebastopol worth visiting. I hope the Council will give A&M BBQ the time they need to complete their relocation and keep their staff employed.
Thank you for your service to the community.
Respectfully,
Jordan Yelinek